Songs of the Humpback Whale Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of Songs of the Humpback Whale

This is the story of a woman who is trying to hold her marriage together, but it proves impossible. Jane, a speech therapist is married to Oliver, a scientist who spends most of his time in oceans around the world studying whales. They have a fifteen year old daughter, Rebecca who by now is used to her parents' fights. At three and a half, Rebecca almost dies in a plane crash and is lucky to be one of the five survivors.
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As a result of this incident Jane decides to go back to her husband and try to make things work, but nothing happens. A few days to Rebecca's fifteenth birthday, Oliver informs them that he will be away on the day of her birthday again. Jane doesn't take this lightly and decides to leave and join her brother Joley at the farm where he grows apples.

At the farm, Jane meets and falls in love with Sam though she is guilty about the affair. Rebecca on the other hand falls for Hadley, a guy who is way older than her and this ends in a tragedy after the two spend a night together in the bush. Hadley in his attempts to confront Oliver slides down a cliff and dies from a broken neck. Jane feels like she was about to lose her daughter again and this leaves her devastated.

Best part of story, including ending:
I don't like the fact that Oliver is not able to balance his work and family and ends up hurting his wife

Best scene in story:
My favorite part is where Joley writes letters to Jane giving her directions to the farm, but starts by reminding her of their childhood events

Opinion about the main character:
I don't like the fact that Jane is still bitter with her father while she tries to protect Rebecca from developing bitterness towards her

The review of this Book prepared by Zipporaha Level 4 Yellow-Headed Blackbird scholar